what to treat WWII leather with?

[blitzmilit]

Hi,
Dunno If that is the best forum to post this one, but:

I found an ammo poach at a friend`s attic, recently. It was dessert-dry and the leather was stone-hard. Now I made a stupid thing and tried to make the leather flexible with my own hands which resulted in tearing one of the straps apart and breaking one of the lids. The poach looked minty in the beginning, but due to its dryness and hardness the leather cracked easily.

I am using NIVEA cream to "renovate" it, but what actually should I use?? What is the best "remedy" for that exceptionally stiff leather?

Please help

Mat

[CWP]

Once the leather is dry there is no way to restore the natural moisture; the damage is done. There are products that may make the leather soft again but over the years, these products will only cause the deterioration of the leather to increase more quickly. Leather is an organic substance, subject to decay, and there is no reason to expect leather to remain supple and usable forever. The best thing to do is to leave it alone.